In Florida, Estero resident Patricia Nicola is suing the National Audubon Society for injuries she suffered during a slip and fall accident at Corkscrew Swamp Sanctuary in Naples.

Nicola says she slipped after stepping on mud or brown feces that was on a damp boardwalk while taking pictures of nature on December 8, 2007. She hurt her right shoulder after skidding several feet and falling.

Nicola alleges that the National Audubon Society should have cleaned the boardwalk to make sure that it was safe for walking. She also claims that the boardwalk should have been maintained with a skid-resistant surface and warning signs should have warned people of the slippery conditions.

Nicola is seeking compensation for pain and suffering, disfigurement, significant and permanent loss of a key bodily function, medical costs, related bills, loss of capacity for enjoyment of life, lost wages, and aggravation of a previously preexisting condition.

Her Florida slip and fall lawsuit alleges that the National Audubon Society either knew or should have known about the unsafe condition and owed visitors a duty of care to reasonably maintain, inspect, repair, and operate the sanctuary and warn of any potential hazards.

Slip and Fall Accidents
A common kind of premises liability accident, slip and fall injuries are often painful and costly for the injured person. A slip and fall condition results when a person slips or trips on liquid or debris on the ground, or because of another unsafe condition, and falls. Common kinds of slip and fall injuries include broken bones, dislocated hips, back injuries, spinal cord injuries, and traumatic brain injuries.

Poorly lit hallways, broken steps, uneven flooring, and wet or greasy floors, and steep staircases without handrails, are some scenarios where slip and fall accidents have been known to happen.